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Be Brave
a wonderful tale starring our hero (nc)
brought to you by Hector’s Post
and illustrated by Hannah Botma
(nc) - may you always have the courage to listen to your
heart and never be afraid to follow your dreams.
One morning, while flying (pp) kite, (nc) met a dragon.
For a second, (sp) was scared. After all, dragons are big.
However, (nc) soon saw that there was nothing to fear. This
wasn’t a fierce dragon. He didn’t burn castles or snatch princesses.
In fact, he was curled up in a ball, looking scared.
”Can I help?” asked (nc) kindly.
”No,” said the Dragon, shaking his head. ”No one can help me.”
”There’s always help, if you know where to look,” said (nc).
”What’s the problem?”
''I’m the worst dragon in the world. You see,'' the Dragon
murmured, ''I’m scared of flying.''
(nc) put (pp) hand on the Dragon’s. ''I think it’s very brave to
admit that you’re scared,'' (sp) said.
''But it’s embarrassing!'' said the Dragon, staring at the ground.
''I’ve always wanted to travel and see the world. But I’ve never
even been beyond that wood. I’m afraid to fly over it and the
thought of walking through it gives me the heebie-jeebies!''
''Don’t worry, I’ll help you through the
wood,'' said (nc).
''Come on,'' (sp) smiled, ''let’s be brave.''
Once, surprised by a baby squirrel, he dived headfirst into a bush.
So, (nc) and the Dragon entered the dark, tangled wood.
The Dragon was nervous. Every sound made him jump. Even the
cracking of the branches beneath his feet caused him to flinch.
Later, when they heard the growl of a
bear, the Dragon crept away on tiptoes.
And when they met a fierce dragon, (nc)’s friend refused to fight.
”Fighting’s silly,” he said. ”Why can’t we just be friends?”
The fierce dragon laughed nastily.
”Friends?! Dragons don’t make friends,” she sneered.
”What’s the use of a dragon who can’t fight or fly?”
(nc)’s dragon slunk away, tears shining in his eyes.
(nc)’s dragon wasn’t tough, but he had a gentle heart.
Everywhere they went, the Dragon did little acts of kindness.
He moved a boulder to free a trapped fox.
He made a fire for a chilly owl.
Then he made his body into a bridge to help a family of badgers
across a stream.
Grateful, the badgers invited (nc) and the Dragon to dinner.
Unfortunately, Grandma Badger was a terrible cook.
(Badgers always are.)
The Dragon didn’t want to hurt Grandma Badger’s feelings
though.
So, he ate every last morsel and crumb of her worm-and-
warty-toad pie.
”Mmm,” he said, trying to smile. ”Delicious! Can I have the
recipe?”
After dinner, the badgers danced. The Dragon felt shy. He
hated dancing but, not wanting to be rude, he joined in the fun.
He was actually quite good!
The next day, (nc) and the
Dragon waved goodbye to
the badgers and set off.
Before long, they reached the edge
of the wood. They found themselves
on the top of a cliff. Ahead of them
was the wide blue sea.
”Look!” said (nc). ”We made it through the wood!”
”So what?” the Dragon sulked. ”I’m still scared. And I still can’t
fly.”
He began to sob. ”Oh dear. I’m such a coward. That mean dragon
was right. What’s the use of a dragon who can’t fight or fly?”
”You’re not a coward,” said (nc). ”You’re
the bravest creature I know.”
”Me? Really?”
”Being brave is not just about being
tough or fierce,” said (nc). ”Courage
comes in many forms.”
”Like what?”
”Helping others instead of yourself ...
being kind when it’s simpler to be mean ...
being yourself, even when others laugh at
you ... doing what’s right instead of what’s
easy ... facing your fears, even though
you’re scared. All those things are brave
... and you’ve done them all! And do you
know what’s even braver?”
”No, what?”
”I can’t ... I’m too afraid,” whispered the Dragon.
”Following your dreams. You want to explore and see the world.
Well, there it is! Let’s go and explore it!”
”You can!” said (nc). ”I believe in you.”
(spc) climbed onto the Dragon’s back and gripped the hard, shiny scales.
”Come on, we’ll do it together,” (sp) whispered. ”Just be brave.”
And because his friend believed
in him, the Dragon suddenly
believed in himself. It’s always
easier to be brave for
others than it is for yourself.
He closed his eyes. Very slowly, the great beast inched
towards the cliff edge.
After a deep breath, he gently raised his wings and let
them fall.
He did it again ... once ... twice ... three times.
And then, with a roar of fear and determination, he
jumped.
(nc) and the Dragon fell. They plummeted down down down
... towards the jagged rocks and the foaming waves below.
When the Dragon’s nose was wet with sea spray,
he suddenly swooped upwards, his wings beating hard,
and he soared into the sky.
”WHOOPEEEE!” cried (nc), punching the air.
”I’m doing it!” cried the Dragon. ”I’m flying! I’m FLYING!”
The Dragon and the (boy or girl) flew over the sparkling sea.
”Are you scared?” shouted (nc), over the roar of the wind.
”Yes,” laughed the Dragon. ”Terrified!”
”And that’s why this is brave!” (nc) replied.
They flew on and on, over the endless waves. Now and then, they
passed sailing boats or pods of leaping dolphins. Once they saw a
whale puff out a fountain of spray from its blowhole.
They flew until the sky turned pink and the sun glowed, orange as
a pumpkin, on the horizon.
”Where should I go now?” asked the Dragon.
”Wherever your dreams take you,” said (nc) with a smile. ”But,
wherever you go and whatever you do ... BE BRAVE.”
Text and illustrations copyright Hector’s Post Ltd. All rights
reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by any means,
mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without
the prior permission of the copyright holder.
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